DAIRY INDUSTRY • AWA RDS •

HAWKE’S BAY WAIRARAPA REGION

Masterton venue for Hawke’s Bay Wairarapa Dairy Awards

With a theme combining royalty and the dairy industry, the 2023 Hawke’s Bay Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards dinner promises to be an evening not to be missed.

One of the highlights of the dairy industry calendar, the winners will be announced at an Awards Dinner at Masterton’s Copthorne Solway Park on Thursday 23rd March, with categories for Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year, and Dairy Trainee of the Year.

The three winners of each category will then go on to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards national ÿ nal, with national winners announced in Auckland on Saturday 13 May.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards attracts farmers from across the country, working in all levels of the dairy industry.

The three categories give entrants the chance to challenge themselves, earn a regional or national title and to share in substantial regional and national prize pools.

Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa

Regional Manager Jennifer Read says the regional awards dinners are always a night of celebration, and not just for the winners. “The regional dinners not only focus on the regional winners and those in other categories, but provide another opportunity to meet, network and socialise with like-minded people who live and breathe the dairy industry.”

“It’s also an opportunity for the volunteers and sponsors to be acknowledged. They provide invaluable support in so many ways to the entrants and the Awards in general. Plus, it’s a chance for everyone to relax and have some fun!”

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards General Manager Robin Congdon says entering one of the categories remains one of the best ways people can raise their proÿ le and reputation, as well as learn more about the industry to progress their career.

“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive from entrants is how much they learnt during the process and how glad they are they entered,” he says.

“Entrants tell us that they really had to sit down and look at their business and how they were doing things on the farm and why.”

“Entering the Awards really is a learning journey – about the industry, about your business and about you as a farmer,” says Robin.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian, Ravensdown and Trelleborg, along with industry partners DairyNZ, MediaWorks and Rural Training Solutions NZ.

To purchase tickets for the Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards dinner and for more information on the New Zealand Dairy Awards visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

While New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards regional ÿ nalists are being named during 11 award dinners being held around the country next month, nominations to a national award that acknowledges dairy farmers who demonstrate innovation and passion in their approach to sustainable dairying remain open until March 31st.

The Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award recognises dairy farmers who are respected by their farming peers and their community for their attitude and role in sustainable dairying.

Entry for this award is by nomination only via dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

The 2023 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award farmer could come from any of New Zealand’s milk suppliers and any farmer or farming partnership who demonstrates a high calibre of performance and leadership in the areas of responsible and sustainable care of people, animals, ecosystems and communities are eligible to enter.

Robin Congdon, New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards

General Manager, says that is important to showcase the good work farmers are doing within the industry as it does not always get the exposure it deserves. “We have excellent, experienced dairy farmers creating and working on wonderful projects that have a positive e° ect on the environment.”

“This is a chance for people to nominate their neighbour, their employer or someone in their community, or to nominate themselves.”

“This Award gives us the opportunity to recognise farmers that have progressed to ownership, demonstrate leadership in their farming practices and are a role model for our younger farmers coming through” he says.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and Trelleborg, along with industry partners DairyNZ, MediaWorks and Rural Training Solutions NZ. Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for more information.